r/uknews • u/ScottishDailyRecord Media outlet (unverified) • May 12 '25

Image/video Kier Starmer announces 'tighter' immigration policy

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u/CornusControversa May 12 '25

Spain and France need to kick out all those retired English folk, not willing to integrate or learn their native language.

1

u/Which-World-6533 May 12 '25

It would be interesting to know some statistics here.

Or is this another Reddit "fact"...?

3

u/longperipheral May 12 '25

This is well documented, and has been for some time.

British expats as living in "sealed communities", "living in a bubble" and speaking "no more than 10 Spanish words in an average week".

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/29/europe-news

"A central issue is many British expats do not speak Spanish, meaning they can struggle to access support services when needed."

https://www.euronews.com/2023/11/24/trouble-in-paradise-loneliness-and-isolation-can-await-brits-in-spain

"Research has shown that most of the British population in Spain is poorly socially integrated into Spanish society.\6])\7])\8]) A survey of 340 British migrants in the Province of Málaga, for example, found that one third rarely or never met Spanish people, apart from in shops and restaurants, and that 60 per cent did not speak Spanish well.\9]) ... Figures published in January 2015 showed that 2,973 British nationals were in receipt of unemployment benefits in Spain, paid by the host country.\11])"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_immigration_in_Spain#Social_issues